The Mommies Network

What does The Mommies Network mean to you?

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Every morning, I do the same thing. I get my cup of coffee while I make breakfast for the kid. I gather the clothes together, making a small pile on the sofa next to me- awaiting the completion of whatever cereal or breakfast bar is being consumed by the little one in the kitchen. I sip my coffee and grab my phone, and I log into my chapter of The Mommies Network. I click " View Your Posts" to see if there have been any responses to my latest musings. Then, I go onto The Mommy Forum, then Relationships,usually heading to the conversations that have the most appeal...the ones with the most posts! Maybe take a timeout to get the kid dressed. Then onto my area group, then my support groups. Then I swing over to my Facebook, then my Twitter, then back to my chapter of The Mommies Network to see the newest posts. I do this about 20 or 30 times a day...rinse and repeat.

Occasionally, I will get particularly attached to a post...be it my own or someone elses. Then, I might check in 40 or 50 times a day ( thank God for smartphones!). Every now and then I'll be a part of a conversation that is gaining traction...bunches of posts, and my heart is lifted with each page of conversation that is added...one page...two pages...five pages! It's like Christmas morning every time I open a page....a slight joy to see what has been added.

Sometimes, it's fluff...a coupon I found or looking for new homeowners insurance. Sometimes it's personal...an issue with my Mother-in-Law or a behavioral issue with my little one. Sometimes it's topical...a news piece or an article I found. But each time, it is the same feeling. I am a part of something- a community that shares something special and something unique.

How many times have you done this?

Now, I need to think about what that MEANS to me. I knew early on that it meant a great deal to me; it meant that I was a part of a network of women who took on their identity as a Mommy, and took it to another level. I knew that becoming a mother forced me to re-identify who I was as a person, because I was forever changed by the little wonder that appeared in my life. But being a part of The Mommies Network took it to a new level. It allowed me to take the new me.- the mother me- and USE it. By using it, I became a Mommy. I used all of those tools that came with motherhood and I applied them. My words became softer, my ideas became firmer, and my passions shifted from what was good for me to what was good for the world I was creating for my child.

Along the way, I have met mothers who are very different than me. I have encountered people that I would have never counted as my friends in my life before motherhood. However, I can now see them for what they are ... exactly like me. Their ideas might be different, and their style may be different, but their reasons and their execution is cornered in exactly the same place as mine. Everything they do is the result of their love for their children. They, too, have been forever changed by becoming a mother, and they are on the same journey as me, figuring out how to apply this unique relationship to how they relate to the world.

So, when I think about The Mommies Network, I need to think about what it is to me, and the solution becomes so simple. The Mommies Network gave me to the place to FIND all of these things. It was the platform, the medium, the safe space where I was able to make the most of the new me. The value in that is not simple to measure, but it is clear to me that I have to find a way to measure it, and give back in turn.

There are so many ways to give back, and if you are like me, you want to give back to someone else what you have received. This network does not exist on it's own. It takes time and energy and money and resources. There are opportunities to give back at every turn. You can donate time, you can donate resources, you can sponsor, you can donate money, you can be a part of the events, or you can just show up to witness the efforts of others who have given back. All of these things expand the network. They make it available to more and more women who are just like you. As we work together, we make the number of mothers in our network larger and larger, and we are able to do more and more to make the world a better place for our children.

I encourage everyone to look at themselves as a Mommy, and think about what it means to you. Right now, The Mommies Network is holding their annual May is for Mother's campaign to help meet the monetary demands of running the network. If being a Mommy has value to you, match it with a donation. However, there are other ways you can contribute. There are volunteer positions available both at The Mommies Network and at the Chapter level. Consider donating your time to this worthy cause. If you are a business owner, consider sponsorship with The Mommies Network as a way to give back to these communities and engage with the membership.

But, most of all, see your identity as a Mommy as something that makes you a part of something special, and embrace what that means to you! Because there are a million ways to mother ... and one network for us all.

Raise money online for MOMMIES NETWORK

Thank you for supporting The Mommies Network!

Trading In My Baby Bag {Guest Post}

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I have accepted the fact that I will never be pregnant again. I pretend that it isn't true. My brain realizes what my body, mind, and soul have gone through over the past 18 years. My heart, well, that's a different story. I have never said it out loud, but writing it down is the first step. I am not having any more children. The realization hurts. It is a dull ache, so it is not always noticeable. Every once in awhile, it hits me again.

My last three pregnancies were very hard - two losses, a diagnosis of an incompetent cervix, bedrest, and a micropreemie. Add eight children into the equation and you must think I am crazy for even contemplating another pregnancy. I am now considered to be of Advanced Maternal Age. Those three little words written across the top of my chart are enough to make me pause. My husband and I had a deal. No more pregnancies after 35. I almost kept my word, delivering my last baby a few weeks after I turned 36.

I get a similar feeling when I get an email from Target advertising its baby sale as when I received emails about my baby registry after I lost the boys,. I don't need those things anymore. At the mall, I run into Motherhood Maternity to use their bathroom. Have you noticed how cute maternity clothes are? I will never need to buy anything there again. I will miss maternity jeans. When else is it acceptable to wear cute jeans with an elastic waistband? Recently, I gave all of mine away, so I am not tempted to throw a pair on while lounging around the house.

My mind plays funny tricks on me. Every once in awhile I think I can feel movement in my stomach. Why would I assume it was hunger or simply gas? No, I let my imagination wander, fantasizing about creating another perfect little addition to my family. Then, I stop to remember the hospital stays, the NICU, and the strain pregnancy placed on my family. I pour myself a cup of tea, and all of a sudden the rumblings subside.

My last baby is slowly becoming a little boy. I am blissfully happy living in the land of Toddlerhood. I may never get to sniff the top of my newborn's head again, but there is so much more I will get to experience. Each day, I get to watch my children learn new things and master new skills. I am trading in my baby bag for a cute purse.

Plus, when I think about never having to experience morning sickness again, elastic waistbands are not such a draw anymore.

Jennifer Swartvagher blogs at www.beyondthecrib.com about her life and her adventures raising eight children, ranging in age from 17 to one year. The journey beyond the crib doesn't end when the kids are out of diapers, and no one judges us as hard as we judge ourselves. Beyond The Crib's goal is to help other moms (and dads) see that we are all in this crazy world of parenthood together.

Wordless Wednesday Love

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Performances, Attractions, and Activities.... LakeNormanMommies Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:56:00 +0000

We wanted to share this exciting event for our NC families, you must check out the Free Family Carnival sponsored by :

LakeNormanMommies and the EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station present an afternoon of fun for all ages! Join us on Saturday, May 18, 2013 11a.m.-4p.m. for this family-friendly event featuring the following organizations and businesses from the Lake Norman Community!

Performances, Attractions, and Activities...

Main Stage

Little Dreamer Productions - DJ & MC services
Cheer Xplosion AllStars
Dancin Kids
Expressions Dance Studio
Grand Central Academy of the Performing Arts
Rock University

Activities

Burn Bootcamp - Field Activities for Children and Adults
Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture - Bounce House
Meet the Mascot - Photo Op
Heather the Storyteller - Story Time
Cold Blooded Encounters - Reptile Show
Twist the Balloon Man - Magic Show
Pre-K Birthdays - Crafts
Rocket Ryan - Science Demonstrations
Candy Art by Chris Hughes
Renaissance Festival - Strolling Performers

Touch-a-Truck
Coca-Cola Discovery Truck
Cornelius Police Department
Huntersville Police Department
Huntersville Fire Department
North Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Community Outreach & Awareness
Ballas Chiropractic
Earth Fare
Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital
Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
Novant Health Women's Health Education
A Safe Child - car seat safety & baby proofing demonstrations

Refreshments
Bruster's Ice Cream - ice cream, hot dogs, beverages available for purchase

Carnival Games and Activities
Carnival games and other activities are provided by our vendors.

Games include duck pond, wheel spin, knock 'em down, penny toss, fishbowl ping pong toss, and more. Each winner receives a ticket to be entered into a drawing for a prize in the prize tent.

Activities include crafts, face painting, carnival themed photo booth, and more.

Vendors
Bird Nest Boutique, Innovative Speed Shop, Jamberry Nails, Lakeside Dental, Mary Kay, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Pink Zebra, Scentsy, SnookySmiles, Stella & Dot, Sunshine Borders, Thirty-One, Tupperstars, and WildTree

Prize Tent
Did you receive a ticket at one of the games or activities? Be sure to head to the Prize Tent to be entered into a drawing for the prize of your choosing!

Prizes
Prizes include products and services from Ballas Chiropractic, Bird Nest Boutique, Burn Bootcamp, Carolina Women's Defense, Carowinds, Earth Fare, Grand Central Academy of the Performing Arts, Innovative Speed Shop, Insley Photography, Jamberry Nails, Jockey Person to Person, MM House and Office Cleaning, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Perfect Fit, Pink Zebra, SnookySmiles, Stella & Dot, Sunshine Borders, Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture, Tupperstars, Twist the Balloon Man, WildTree, and more!

See this event on Facebook

Family Carnival

Saturday, May 18, 2013, 11a.m.-4p.m.

The EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station

13339 Hagers Ferry Rd., Huntersville, NC

This event is FREE and open to the community!

How to find us:

From Charlotte I-77
Take I-77 to Hwy. 73 (exit 25). West on Hwy. 73 (toward Birkdale Village). Go approximately five miles to the stoplight at McGuire Nuclear Station. The EnergyExplorium is just past Southlake Christian School and Church. Turn right into plant entrance. Stay in right lane and follow signs to the EnergyExplorium.

From I-485
Take I-485 to Hwy. 16 (exit 16). West toward Newton. Exit east onto Hwy. 73 toward Huntersville. Go approximately five miles to the stoplight at McGuire Nuclear Station. Turn left into plant entrance. Stay in right lane and follow signs to the EnergyExplorium.

From Mooresville I-77
Take I-77 south toward Huntersville to exit 25. Turn right off the interstate ramp and follow Hwy. 73 west approximately five miles. The EnergyExplorium is just past Southlake Christian School and Church. Turn right at stoplight for McGuire Nuclear Station and follow signs to the EnergyExplorium.

From Charlotte Hwy. 16
Take Hwy. 16 North toward Denver. Take Hwy. 73 exit and turn right off interstate ramp. Follow Hwy. 73 toward Huntersville. You will pass Cowans Ford Dam on your left; the next stoplight you come to will be the McGuire Nuclear Station entrance. Turn left into McGuire and follow signs to the EnergyExplorium.

How exciting, looks like such fun! See you there!!

TMN girls

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

From all of us here at The Mommies Network, we celebrate all moms today!!

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

A Mother's Day Survey {infographic} best and worst gifts ever...

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

What is your best and worst Mother's Day gift ever? Visit our Facebook page today and chat about it.

The History of Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:10:00 +0000

Believe it or not, Mother’s Day has been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks celebrated Rhea, mother of the gods, while the ancient Romans honored their mother goddess, Cybele. The Romans were quite a randy bunch and it is well known that the Cybele revelers were banished from Rome! Nothing like getting crazy on Mother’s Day, huh? In Britain, the goddess Brigid was honored with a spring celebration each year, in concurrence with the first milk of the ewes.

The origins of the more modern Mother’s Day come from Britain when in the 17th century, they celebrated “Mothering Sunday.” This holiday was celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was set aside for apprentices and laborers to have a day to go home and visit their mothers. They would bring along a fruitcake type delicacy called simnels and would dine on furmenty, which was a sweet boiled cereal dish. Nothing like cereal and fruitcake to celebrate good old Mom, eh? By the 19th century, Mothering Sunday was just another day in the life of the British population. Anna Reeves Jarvis established “Mothers’ Work Days” in the mid-1800s to work for better sanitary conditions during the Civil War. She continued the practice after the war to help establish reconciliation between the two sides.

Julia Ward Howe, the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, also worked towards establishing a “Mother’s Day for Peace” in the late 1800s. This day was set aside for honoring mothers, women and peace. In 1873, 18 cities held a “Mother’s Day for Peace” gathering. Once Howe stopped financially supporting the holiday, it quickly died off and we were left without a Mother’s Day once again.

Finally, in 1907, Anna Jarvis began the journey to establish the day we now know as Mother’s Day. It was her own mother’s dying wish to establish a day on which all mothers, living and dead, were honored. She began her crusade by passing out 500 white carnations to members at her mother’s church, one for each mother in the congregation. In 1908, the first church held a service honoring mothers per Jarvis’ request. Also that year, John Wanamaker joined in the fight to establish an official Mother’s Day. The first bill was presented to the US Senate that year and was declined 33 to 14. The following year, 48 states plus Canada and Mexico were celebrating Mother’s Day with special church services. Jarvis continued to push for an official holiday, eventually quitting her job to spend all of her time writing letters to legislators and any group who may have influence in Washington. Her efforts finally paid off in 1914 when the US Congress passed a Joint Resolution establishing Mother’s Day as an official holiday.

Jarvis became increasingly despondent over the commercialization of Mother’s Day, however, and spent the rest of her life protesting various Mother’s Day celebrations and businesses, especially florists, who marketed the holiday for financial gain.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world on various days. In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May, just as it is in many other countries, including Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium. In Spain, Mother’s Day is actually celebrated as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when all mothers are honored, especially Mary, the mother of Christ. France celebrates the holiday in late May when families eat a special cake resembling a bouquet of flowers. Great Britain re-instituted “Mothering Sunday” after WWII.

Gift Ideas for Moms There are so many different mothers, which presents many gift ideas to choose from. Traditionally, flowers, especially carnations, are given to the mother or worn as a corsage. White carnations are worn to honor a mother who has died, while pink carnations honor mothers still alive. Most moms will receive a phone call from their kids: Mother’s Day boasts the highest number of long-distance calls on any one day of the year. Moms often get to leave the kitchen on Mother’s Day too: most restaurants report that Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year.

Want to do something special for Mom this year? Make a personal card for her and include a letter telling her how much she means to you. Purchase and plant a tree or shrub in her yard that she can enjoy for years to come. Whatever you do, make sure you let her know how important she is to you. One last thing: don’t forget YOU are a mother too! Take some time to spend with your children and enjoy the blessings that motherhood brings to your life. Most importantly, let this be a day of love and family: for without these things, we are truly nothing.

Historical information provided by About.com
Originially posted on CharlotteMommies.blogspot.com

Building A Better Student: "The H word"

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Guest Post : Building A Better Student : The H word
Author Dom Testa

It was the lunch hour, and the sandwich shop was packed. Men and women from nearby businesses lined up to order, along with a sizable collection of students from the high school just down the block. Both groups pretended that the other wasn't there.
While munching on my sandwich I overheard an animated conversation at the table beside me. Four girls discussed whether or not a young man named Jared was qualified for a particular position at school. The girl closest to me presented what sounded like a reasonable argument regarding Jared’s lack of experience compared to Dylan. She also stated that Jared often failed to show up on time when required.
That’s when the H word came out; another girl at the table said: “Why do you have to be such a hater?”
Well, I’m editing and condensing; for the sake of accuracy, she said, “Like, why do you, like, you know, have to be, like, such a hater?”
At that point the debate essentially shut down. The young lady who had dared to point out one candidate’s shortcomings was painted with the Hater Brush, and could no longer contribute to the conversation. Instead, she immediately began to apply more makeup.
We are gradually losing our ability to rationally disagree. Rather than offer point and counterpoint, we must now disable and defeat someone who doesn't share our view by labeling them a Hater, thereby rendering their argument invalid.
It’s a race, really; the first person to thrust with that sword scores the point.
Personally, I would like for us to abolish the H word. It’s lazy, and it effectively shuts tight the mind of the speaker. Worse, it dilutes the power of the word when it truly applies.
It’s time to bring back the graceful art of disagreement, and to expose our students to its beauty. History tells us that our country has been rife with disagreement since we were rebellious colonies. You just know that some joker got in Paul Revere’s face and insisted that it be two-if-by-land and one-if-by-sea. From there it went to committee.
But we used our thoughts - elegantly put into words - to forge a new way. Our greatest achievements happened when we were pushed to the edge by our differences. Lincoln’s acclaimed ‘team of rivals’ may be one of the best examples; they certainly hurled insults at one another - Salmon P. Chase likely heard more spawning jokes in Washington than he ever did in fourth grade - but they also intelligently argued.
Suppose we abolish the H word, and instead teach students how to politely disagree. How much better off would we be if we raised generations of young people who believed in the power of their arguments instead of wilting into cowardly name-calling?

I have no idea if Jared would've been the best choice for this vague position at the school; I think we're all troubled by his punctuality problem. But what’s sad is that the two sides weren't allowed to fully voice their opinions; one girl offered no real argument, and the other was censored by a like-littered personal slur. Neither young lady learned or grew from their exchange.
Sadly, they've come to believe that when you have no logical argument, your next move is to demonize whomever disagrees with you. (Sound familiar, Congress?)
I propose that we openly discuss with our kids the concept of maturely - and courteously - disagreeing. Teach them how to state their case, and - here’s the hard part - how to listen to the other side. If you have more than one child, you have an endless supply of material with which to work, because siblings argue until every mom wants to stick forks in her eyes. They just do.
Those arguments actually can be helpful (even while they get on your last nerve). They provide an opportunity to teach the art of disagreeing: Point, listen, counterpoint, listen. It’s a skill that will serve them well in life, both personally and professionally.
Except when truly deserved - when talking about okra, for instance - it’s time for the H word to be retired. It’s a coward’s way out.

Dom Testa is an author, speaker, morning radio show host, and has kept a ficus tree alive for twenty two years. He’s also the founder and president of The Big Brain Club, a non-profit foundation that helps young people embrace the idea that Smart Is Cool. More info at www.DomTesta.com.

A Word From Our President #mommiesnetwork

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Heather Fortune: Founder and President of The Mommies Network

Greetings to our wonderful members!

As we march into May, I'd like to take a moment and wish each of you a Happy Mother's Day. So often, we as moms don't get the regular pat on the back for our hard work that other jobs offer. Our "rewards" are not found in a paycheck, but in the first smile of our beautiful baby, or the toddling steps of our two-year old, or the extra-long hug from our teenager. Moms are built to see the beauty where no one else can, to see the benefit of years of investment of time and love and energy, to see that growth can occur in many ways, and often when least expected.

This ability to see beyond what is there is something I believe we are granted when we become mothers – so that we can see potential in our children from the moment they are born, so that we can love this little helpless baby and know what greatness we hold in our arms.

When I started CharlotteMommies eleven years ago, I felt like this wonderful quality we share as mothers could be the key to changing how our communities work – and how we care for each other. We can see what is not yet there – we can love before the person has really done anything worthy of love – we can care even though the one we care for doesn't acknowledge or even appreciate our love.

If we can do this for our children, why can't we do this for each other? Why can't we seek the good in each other, and assume, at the foundation, that each of us has this gift – this "power" to see the potential of others and encourage each other to reach that potential.

Through the years, we have tried many ways to spread this message – to provide a place where mothers from all walks of life, from all backgrounds and beliefs, can come together and find the things they share in common – to support and care for each other, simply because we share this common bond. It's been a work in progress and amid our many successes, we have also suffered many failures. In each failure, we choose to use our "superpower" to continue to focus on the potential – to rise to the challenge and find a new way to meet our goal and truly connect mothers together.

In 2013, we've challenged ourselves and our members to end the Mommy Wars – but we can't do that by choosing sides or ignoring that the war exists.

Instead, let's join together to talk about these issues that divide us as moms. Let's learn to discuss our ways of doing things without fear of judgment. Let's understand that its okay that there are different ways to do the same thing – and that choosing one doesn't make the other choices bad or wrong. It simply makes them right for you, in your situation.

We are challenging ourselves and our members to put ourselves in the shoes of others and really begin to understand the person behind the feelings – understand that our choices do not define us – but our love for our children certainly can unite us.

We can end the Mommy Wars simply by choosing to use our mommy "superpower" and seeing the good in each other – seeing the positive potential in each mom in our network, seeing how her being exactly the way she is benefits you and the others in your community.

If we can strive to see each other the way we see our children – as individuals who are constantly growing and learning as we travel through our lives – and challenge ourselves to care for each other regardless of what comes back – think of the accomplishments we can achieve and the positive impact we can make in our own lives, in the lives of our fellow moms and in the communities where we live.

The Mommies Network is committed to ending The Mommy Wars and providing a safe, secure FREE way for moms to network together, find support and friendship from one another and encourage each other to grow and learn as women, as mothers and as community leaders. Each dollar donated to TMN goes directly into providing improved technical services and new programs for our chapters and their members.

Would you join us in bringing peace to the Mommy Wars in 2013? Your donation can make a difference and help us reach more mothers across the country.

Donate to MOMMIES NETWORK at Razoo

What Does Real Support Look Like?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Across the country, we have been proud to provide support to mothers from all walks of life for the last 11 years. But, as time has gone by, we have seen a shift in the dynamics between mothers and we have seen a divide that the media has dubbed "The Mommy Wars."

When The Mommies Network was founded, we saw that mothers have a unique bond- a shared strength from loving for our children. We identified that the characteristics of being a mother- the passion, the sacrifice, the deep conviction of providing to our children a better world- all of these things were also aspects that could create a community of women who could make the world a better place.

The Mommies Network 2013 from The Mommies Network on Vimeo.

However, in order to make these communities, we have to overcome the hurdles of the "Mommy Wars." We need to come back to our place of support, and see that how we parent is not nearly as important as our love for our children. What divides us is weaker than what unites us.

Supporting mothers does not always look like what you think it might. But, to us, supporting mothers means ...

providing a place for them to feel safe...

giving them a free corner of the world where they can find other mothers who have been where they have been....

giving them a community where they can be themselves..

providing these things to mothers we don't always agree with...

we stop defining ourselves, and each other, as being different, and instead we unite under the idea that the diversity of our members makes us stronger.

We serve over 30,000 women in our mission to provide a safe and FREE place to find support and encouragement, advice and friendship.

Your donation to The Mommies Network provides us with the means to unite mothers from across the country and to provide a real network of support. Help us end "The Mommy Wars" by making a donation in honor of a mother who may not be like you, but is part of the community of moms that makes your world a better place.

Donate to MOMMIES NETWORK at Razoo

Join us today to help end "The Mommy Wars" , uniting mothers across the country! Donate with me!

Zone Caprese, Salad Love! #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

We are in the Zone today with our foodie guest blogger Katherine from
http://pleasegivepeasachance.blogspot.com/

I LOVE caprese salads. LOVE. This is how I love them best. Actually my whole family loves this salad, and who doesn't love buttery avocado? NOM NOM. I can not wait until summer for gorgeous tomatoes. I can't seem to grow anything though! How about you? Do you have a garden in the summer?

Give Peas A Chance Caprese

Tomatoes- slices or chopped, I don't prefer cherry or grape tomatoes

Fresh mozzarella

Basil leaves

Avocado

Nicoise salt/ Olive Salt

Fresh cracked pepper

Olive oil

Balsamic vinegar- reduced or not depending on time

Slice the cheese, tomato, and avocado. Assemble like shown, or chop everything and toss like the picture below. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle some fresh cracked pepper, salt, and basil leaves on top.

Sometimes I just chop it all up...

Here are some others I've posted

Appetizer

Simple with Nicoise salt.

Old school 2008 post!

This post is linked to these parties! LINK

MMMMmmm these look delicious

Young Mommies? What are your struggles? #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:59:00 +0000

Y is for YOUNG Mommies! How old were you when you had your first baby?

As a a young mommy, what kind of struggles do you face? Are you a teen mom, or a mom in your 20's that is in school or working to make a relationship work? Did you know that most of our Mommies Network chapters have forums just for young moms? A place for moms to meet and chat about life in the fast lane of motherhood as a young mom. Join today for some fabulous support from moms just like you and moms that have "been there and done that".

What are the some of the most difficult struggles for the young mother? :

Maturity- unable to cope with responsibility
Finding friends- most of your friends don't have kids yet
Finances - not working, insurance, relying on your parents for funds
Relationship changes- not ready for addition
Finishing school or finding work
Day Care of staying home with baby
Giving up previous lifestyles
Depression and anxiety
Lack of support

If you are a young mother or had your first baby before the age of 25, what were your most difficult struggles? Who did you rely on for support?

X-Treme Couponing Craze : America {infographic} #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

X-Treme Couponing, a craze or not? America's fascination with the
coupon and saving money.

Source: infographiclist.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Wise Women, Lets Listen For Once...Stop Hating #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Women come is all sizes, shapes and colors, but one thing we do share is our love for our children, our families and our communities.
Lets Love More and Hate Less......

Lets give back and spread more joy, tear down those fences that divide.

Veto The Idea of Take Our Kids To Work Day #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:41:00 +0000

Once upon a time, somebody dreamed up the idea of taking kids out of school so they could go to their parent’s office and play with the hole-punch all day. It was applauded and hailed as a revolutionary idea that would help students understand and appreciate the grind of everyday office life.

Meanwhile, teachers across the nation were told to prepare lesson plans for classrooms that were half-empty, and then forced to repeat those lessons when the hole-punchers returned the next day.
Yes, once again we're asked to support something that’s inherently foolish, when the truth is: Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day is a bad idea. Or rather, it’s a bad idea to do it during the school year.
Few of us have the guts to make the charge, while many will demand my head on a stake. (Those who frequently were taken out of school as a child, however, demand my head on a steak.)
I checked the calendar for several school districts, and - not counting weekends -between September 1st and May 31st students had between 35 and 38 days where they didn't go to class. That’s roughly five weeks of class time that’s already lost.
And now we want to pull them out again? To tromp off to mom’s office and be officially bored by 10:15?
Sure, I understand that some offices create fun activities for Ashley and Caden, but there’s something for you to ponder: What’s wrong with hosting these days in the summer Or during one of those 38 non-classroom days? Are kids able to ‘bond’ at work with their parents only if they're missing a scheduled school day? Please explain.

I propose the start of a new event called “Keep Your Kids In Class” Day.

Children in America are - we're told - already too far behind students in other countries,and falling further back. Shouldn't we focus on improving academic achievement before we subject them to sitting in a cubicle all day? Keep Your Kids In Class.
Aren't teachers handcuffed enough as it is, with diminishing budgets and ridiculous‘teach to the test’ mandates? And some people want to yank students out for another day day? Keep Your Kids In Class.
I've heard several arguments in favor of the event.
Argument Number One: They'll learn so much about the work place! Well, for now I'd rather they learn the difference between ‘their’ and ‘ they're.’ They'll have fifty years to learn about the work place. Can we let them be kids for now? Keep Your Kids In Class.

Argument Number Two: The kids are able to use the experience as a class project! All right. What if they used one of the teacher in-service/work days each year to get that experience? Then, instead of watching television all day, they could visit the office and submit their report on Monday, while not missing an extra day. Keep Your Kids In Class.
Argument Number Three: My childless co-workers just love having my kids hang around the office! Uh, no, they don't; they're just too polite to tell you. I will. Keep Your Kids In Class.
If we want to build a better student, then we certainly should not look for another reason to keep them out of the classroom. I understand the feel-good emotion associated with the event, but we can all feel just as good in July as we do in April. Better, perhaps,because we can make it a half-day event in July - which, for kids, is plenty - and then send them off to the water park for some exercise.
I know, it’s a radical idea, but I say Keep Your Kids In Class.

Dom Testa is an author, speaker, morning radio show host, and has kept a ficus tree alive for twenty two years. He’s also the founder and president of The Big Brain Club, a non-profit foundation that helps young people embrace the idea that Smart Is Cool.More info at www.DomTesta.com.

Unbelievable... 15 Facts about Motherhood {infographic} #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:31:00 +0000

Source: obviously-marvelous.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Thankful Thank You's A List Of Many #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:58:00 +0000

T is for Thankful Thank you's

Being Thankful everyday for even the little things in life we sometimes take for granted:

Source: fitisthenewbeautiful.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

We are so blessed, I am thankful for:

Air we breath
Trees of green
Springtime of new growth and flowering fields
Water that flows from our earth
Mountains so majestic
Beaches that help our stress relief
The laughter of children
The smiles of our elderly grandparents
Days that turn into nights
Nights that turn into days
Friends that turn into families
Dreams that turn into reality
Girlfriends that listen and love you no matter what
Lessons learned from my mom
Little flowers found by my children
Pets that love unconditionally
Loves of your live
Watermelon on a hot summer day
Hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold snowy evening

What are some of your most Thankful Thank You's, I could go on forever with this list?

Sponsorship : A Perfect Solution for Your Business #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:17:00 +0000

Sponsorship

The Mommies Network is committed to engaging with our communities, and allowing our communities to engage with our members! Sponsorship is the perfect solution- businesses sharing their products and services with our members, and our members engaging with their communities through our sponsors.

What makes sponsorship with The Mommies Network so unique is that our membership turns to The Mommies Network for safe, secure, and FREE membership, and since our members know that sponsors are aiding in supporting our network, they turn to our sponsors because those businesses are supporting an organization that they love and trust.

Best of all, we have designed sponsorship to be a great, low cost alternative for businesses that are getting off the ground. We know that we have so many talented and driven members who are finding work-from-home businesses that suit their families’ needs, and we wanted to allow businesses like that to be featured on The Mommies Network. So, not only can sponsors engage with our members for less than a few pennies a day on many chapters, but they are supporting a non-profit organization that moms turn to for answers.

If you own a business or know of a business that can benefit from sponsorship, please email sponsors@themommiesnetwork.org for pricing and more information.

Sponsorships with The Mommies Network are also tax deductible.

Our mission is: To provide a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empower them to be better women, mothers and community leaders.The Mommies Network is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local community. We started as one chapter in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2002 and launched as network of chapters in 2005. We currently operate about 80 local communities across the country and have over 30,000 active members.

Ryan Gosling ~~ Hey Girl! .... Does This Man Really Exist? #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

R is for Ryan Gosling and his cute "Hey Girl "meme's

This hottie of an actor has also turned Internet sensation of cuteness and laughter with all the "Hey Girl" meme pictures that are popping up all over the place. You can't help but chuckle at some of these and wonder in an ideal world if this man really exists (he sure doesn't at my house). I guess we can dream ....right, and laugh! Hey Girl........

pictures credit http://attachmentparentingryangosling.tumblr.com/ and Google images

So does this man really exist? Do you have a Ryan Gosling at home? Lucky girl you are!

Have a fabulous weekend, enjoy the eye candy

Quilting a Masterpiece #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:20:00 +0000

Complete tutorial with photos here : http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/01/easy-thrifty-pretty-rag-quilt-tutorial.html Credit to Imperfect Homaking blog for the super cute quilt tutorial~

Step One. Cut your pieces. I cut mine to be 7 inches square. At this stage you don't have to be particularly precise....you'll see why later. An easy way to cut your squares is just by cutting some strips that are 7 inches wide (or whatever size you need) and then turning an edge over to make a triangle. Cutting along the edge of the triangle will give you a decent square.

Step Two: Cut a boat load of squares of quilt batting. Mine were 6 inches square. My quilt has 10 rows of 13 squares, so I needed 130 squares of batting and 260 squares of fabric.
Step Three: layer a piece of batting between 2 fabric squares and machine stitch a X across it.

Step Four: As you can see my pieces aren't perfectly lined up in the quilted square pictured above. What I found is that even if you start off with 2 precisely cut pieces of fabric, it can be difficult and tedious to keep the layers nicely lined up. And, between you and me, I am more likely to stab myself in the eyeball with a seam ripper than complete a project that is tedious and time consuming.

So I solved the problem by cutting the squares fairly imprecisely (as mentioned in step one) and not worrying too much about keeping everything perfectly in place while stitching. Instead I just cut the finished square again with a rotary cutter and a 6 1/2 inch cardboard template. The result is nicely lined up and precise squares without having to stab myself in the eye out of sheer frustration.

Step Five: Once you've completed steps 3 and 4 with all of your cut pieces, you can begin assembling your quilt. Remember to sew your squares together wrong sides together. I had to rip a few seams out because I kept forgetting that I want the seams on the right side!
Step Six: Sit down to a few good movies with a sharp pair of scissor and snip all of the edges so that the seams will fray up nicely. Be careful not to cut any stitches.
Step Seven: Wash and dry the quilt to get the seams to fray nicely. It will take a few washes to get really frayed, but if you're in a hurry (and I was) one wash will be a good start.

How pretty is that! Do you quilt or craft? Submit a guest blog post via blogs@themommiesnetwork.org and lets show other moms what you can do. We love supporting other moms in our community!

P is for Please....Give Peas A Chance #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome Guest Blogger Katherine from Please Give Peas A Chance Blog

The last cake I made like this was the chocolate cake with a layer of mint chocolate cheesecake in it. You can see the full post HERE.

I made two of these carrot cakes, a round and a square. (It's a long story, had to do with no cake pans, and what not. In the end I dropped a layer on the floor and had to toss it, so I had enough extra batter to redeem myself.) I will say this tastes better fully thawed. I tried to reduce the sugar quite a bit in both the Carrot Cake, and Vanilla Bean Cheesecake when making this. Which I thought was a total disaster- the carrot cake part could have used a bit more sugar, but paired with the icing it was good for us. The first slice of this I had it was a little frozen so the cheesecake
wasn't creamy, it was icy. I thought I had totally messed up! But when
it was fully thawed it was creamy and I didn't think it needed any more
sugar and the texture was perfect for us. I don't like overly sweet cakes though. This is Carrot Cake is still our favorite cake, DH said I should make more cake with no cheesecake. I love the cheesecake, but wanted a regular (bleached) all purpose flour cake :P . Just like the Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Cake, this is cake/cheesecake/cake/frosting. I don't put extra frosting between the layers of cake. Just an FYI for assembly.

The candied carrot curls on top were easy to make, and I got a great simple syrup for my tea out of it. The recipe for that is below.

Give Peas A Chance Ginger Candied Carrot Curls

3-4 carrots (depending on size)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 few slices of ginger- fresh or crystallized about one inch rounds

Peel the carrots. Then take the peeler and long strips with it.
Put the sugar, water, and ginger in a pot. Bring to a simmer until the sugar is dissolved.
Add carrot slices to the pot, bring to a simmer.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
Simmer for 15 minutes or until the carrots are just pliable and not crisp.
Drain the carrots and ginger. RESERVE the yummy simple syrup.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the carrots on the parchment paper. Lay them out in a single layer, not touching.
Place them in the oven for about 20-30 minutes.
Take the carrots out of the oven while still pliable, but not wet.
Shape them into curls - I used a chopstick.
Gently slide the carrots off of the chopsticks.
Bake them for another 10-15 minutes until they set.
Cool. Keep these in a dry place.

Give Peas A Chance BEST Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Frosting

(I frosted two cakes with this)

4 packages of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2-3 teaspoons vanilla bean paste - or like a tablespoon

2 teaspoons cinnamon

4 cups of sugar (powdered) I may have used 3 1/2

Beat the cream cheese and butter with a wire whisk attachment on a stand mixer, or use a hand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy with no lumps.
Add vanilla and cinnamon. Beat well.
Slowly add in powdered sugar. Mix well.

*A note about powdered sugar, if your frosting is runny, do NOT add more powdered sugar, that will make things worse. This is why I add a little sugar at a time to check consistency.

Oh my gracious alive I am drooling over here now......licking my screen

O The Weather Outside Is ...... a Perfect Forecast? #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:42:00 +0000

Building A Better Student: The Perfect Forecast
By Dom Testa
I live in beautiful Colorado, where the weather forecast is a really - really - big deal to people I base this on the outrage and gnashing of teeth over a recently forecasted blizzard that never developed. The expected foot of snow turned out to be more like four inches and boy, did the television meteorologists hear about it. Angry mobs stormed the TV stations, threatening to muss the hair of every anchor and reporter.

Look, predicting the weather is hard, especially in a geographically-unique setting like Colorado It’s a nightmare for even the most seasoned weather pros, despite their multi-million-dollar equipment, complicated algorithms, and suspicious year-round tans. They're usually very accurate, which we immediately take for granted. But they can’t be perfect our planet is a roiling, ever-changing cauldron of forces beyond our comprehension so sometimes instead of twelve inches of snow we get only four.
And people freak out.

At this point you’re wondering: What does this have to do with building a better student?Fair question. Think of it this way: TV meteorologist is to TV viewer like school teachers is to parent.
In both cases we tend to expect perfection. Not only that, but we transfer all responsibility so that the weatherman is responsible for messing up our day. Nevermind that they’re doing the best they can with finicky Mother Nature; we hold their feet to the fire, when in reality it’s up to us to be prepared for anything from rain to sun to snow.
Ultimately, the responsibility for our kids’ education lies with us and - just as importantly- with our kids. Too many people take teachers for granted during the grind of 170-plus school days each year. When there’s an occasional blip on the radar, some parents freak out.
It’s an ugly aspect of being human; we leap to assign blame, because that exonerate us from any guilt in the matter. Rain on the afternoon of your big barbecue after a promise of sun? Demon meteorologist! Jaden and Paden both pulled a 2.4 in highschool and were discipline monsters? Demon teachers!
We lead by example, and the very best leaders assume responsibility, not just when it's sunny and warm, but when the snow flies.
It’s possible that your kids have never really considered the idea of influencing their own outcome Maybe they've always viewed school as a place where “I sit and listen while the teacher teaches.” How much more powerful for them to instead approach it this way:
“The teacher teaches and I enhance/implement it.” How do you think that might affect the outcome?

Shovel some of the responsibility onto the shoulders of students. When it’s all said and done they're the ones who either reap the rewards or get left out in the rain.
We can't control the weather, and neither can the talking heads on television. What we can can control is our preparedness and our adaptability. The same holds true with our kids’education. While the teachers’ role is massive, the responsibility for the outcome is also in the hands of parents and students. It’s a cooperative effort - or at least it should be.
Few things are an exact science. All of the double-Doppler in the world can’t ensure a reliable forecast, any more than a resource-strapped school can guarantee perfect results for every student.

Now let’s go to Tina with a look at traffic.

Dom Testa is an author, speaker, morning radio show host, and has kept a ficus tree alive for twenty two years. He’s also the founder and president of The Big Brain Club, anon-profit foundation that helps young people embrace the idea that Smart Is Cool.More info at www.DomTesta.com

Networking Communities Help Make Moms' Lives a Bit Easier #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:55:00 +0000

Networking Communities

The Mommies Network believes that working together we can change the world, one family, one neighborhood, one community at a time. We have partnered with "Mommybites" an online community that was founded in 2006, growing to become one of the largest social and educational communities in the NY area. Through their signature free online parenting classes and parenting tips and articles, Mommybites connects moms-to-moms, moms to experts and moms to all the latest parenting education, products, resources and support to help make moms’ lives a bit easier. A perfect partnership of moms networking together to help each other and their communities.

UPCOMING FREE PARENTING CLASSES

Tuesday, 4/16: Teleclass: Redefining Your Professional Identity After Baby
Wednesday, 4/17: Webinar: Sensory Processing and Your Infant
Wednesday, 4/24: Webinar: Preparing for Sibling
Tuesday, 4/30: Teleclass: Children and Divorce
Tuesday, 5/7: Teleclass: Time For A Fertility Check
Wednesday, 5/8: Webinar: Potty Training 101
Wednesday, 5/15: Webinar: OT and Your Preschooler
Wednesday, 6/12: Webinar: Smart Sleep Solutions

You don't want to miss these Free Parenting classes! Check them out and sign up today!

Mothers Milk ~Breastfeeding in America #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:38:00 +0000

M is for Mothers Milk

Source: lucieslist.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Luscious Lemon Bars #atozchallenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:54:00 +0000

Credit Recipe.com

Sweet and tart, these moist, powdered-sugar-topped dessert bars will disappear fast.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups
all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons tablespoons
sugar
1 cup
butter
5 5
slightly beaten eggs
2-1/2 cups
sugar
1/4 cup
all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons
finely shredded lemon peel
3 tablespoons
lemon juice
1 teaspoon
baking powder
Sifted powdered sugar

Directions:

For crust: In mixing bowl, combine the 2-1/2 cups flour and 3 tablespoons sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Press into the bottom of a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until golden.

For filling: In medium mixing bowl, stir together eggs, the 2-1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup flour, lemon peel, lemon juice, and baking powder until combined.

Pour filling over the hot crust. Bake bars in a 350 degree F oven for about 20 minutes more or until lightly browned around the edges and the center is set.

Cool in pan on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover; store in refrigerator. Makes 48 bars.

Per serving: Calories 110, Total Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 32 mg, Sodium 53 mg, Carbohydrate 17 g, Fiber 0 g. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Enjoy!

Leslie